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Hillary Clinton urges Yemen to 'take ownership' of its problems

Yemen needs to demonstrate that it can reduce corruption, improve governance and use foreign aid effectively if relief money is to continue flowing, the secretary of State says.

January 27, 2010 | 8:55 p.m.

Reporting from London - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton bluntly warned Yemen's leaders Wednesday to "take ownership" of their own long-festering problems -- corruption, internal strife and poor governance -- if they hope to overcome threats from Islamist extremists and poverty.

Clinton's comments reflected the apprehension of the Obama administration as it once again faces a dire security threat from a Muslim country whose government is marred by corruption and incompetence, like those in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

"Yemen must take ownership of the challenges it faces, and of its internal affairs," Clinton said at a 20-nation gathering convened to reinvigorate international efforts to provide assistance to a country that has become a terrorist hot spot.

The conference took place as the Yemeni threat has been thrust into the world spotlight by the suspected failed attempt of Al Qaeda's Yemeni affiliate to blow up an airliner as it approached Detroit on Christmas Day.

Clinton noted that four years ago, world powers pledged $5.2 billion to help the impoverished country. However, only a small fraction of the money has been delivered, she said, partly because of donors' concern that it would not be spent as intended.

If international support is to continue, Yemen "must demonstrate that it can allocate foreign aid effectively," Clinton said, by improving security and alleviating government shortcomings that discourage economic investment.

The strong comments by Clinton contrasted sharply with the overall tone of the meeting of the new group, which will be called the Friends of Yemen. Participants in the conference, convened by the British government, sought to convey a sense of harmony between the Yemenis and donor nations.

Clinton said she was encouraged by the Yemeni government's recent efforts against terrorism, and by its plans for economic and political reform. But, in a reference to previous reform pledges that did not materialize, she said that the promises "will not mean much" if they are not implemented.

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